X. Please thank his Excellency for sending the Zaptiehs to meet us; we were very pleased with them.
Vali. The ladies are most welcome; if they should wish for fifty Zaptiehs they would be at their service.
(Mutual bows and salaams.)
Vali. And where do the ladies intend to travel after this?
X. We wish to go by Aintab and Diarbekr to Baghdad. Does his Excellency think the road is safe?
Vali. Wherever the ladies go their safety is assured; they are the guests of the nation. There is not a governor in the land who has not received orders to look after them in every way.
(Further bows and expression of thanks.)
Vali (continues). The ladies, however, will find it most uncomfortable travelling at this time of year. I would urge them to give up the idea of this journey.
X. We are obliged to your Excellency for your advice, but we do not really mind the discomforts of travel.
Vali (turns to his Muavin, the "Evet Effendi" already mentioned). This gentleman has just returned from Baghdad; he will tell you how very disagreeable the journey will be.